Joseph Patrick Colligan's Obituary
95 passed away December 12 to be with his Lord, wife, family, friends and many pets which have preceded him. Joe was born in 1912, a bouncing 12lb baby boy, in the home of his parents on Mockingbird Lane, Myrtle Eunice and John C. Colligan. He attended Armstrong Elementary and Highland Park High School where he met the love of his life, Mary Virginia Bell. They were married 69 years before her passing three years ago. Joe was an avid sportsman; hunting, riding, golf and especially boxing; holding the D/FW middle weight title in the late 20’s. He also loved to work out and wrestle at the Dallas Athletic Club. He once thought he was going to lose his honorary membership in the DAC when he was guilted into a wrestling match with a woman. He said, ‘I thought I had hold of a wild cat’. The ‘Gal’ turned out to be Babe Zaharias, who he eventually pinned; always referring to an obscure wrestling hold he used to win the match. While studying biology at SMU, Joe became a proud member of the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity, making many great friends and memories which were shared over the 76 years he was a Pike. Joe worked with Texaco for 32 years, following in his father’s footsteps, who was recognized by Texaco as their first employee. Upon his retirement, Joe resumed his passion for golf, sweeping the dew each morning at Brookhaven C.C. with his buddies; finishing in time for a few hands of Gin Rummy before noon. Joe loved his family, friends and animals, he will be forever missed and fondly remembered by those of us who remain behind. The family would like to thank the staff of Medical City Dallas for their help with Mom and Dad over the years. We would especially like to thank their doctors; Dr. Alistair ‘Cobber’ Fyfth, Dr. Ward ‘Big Foot’ Lane and Dr. John ‘Dictator’ Demopulos for their years of TLC. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife and oldest son, Joseph Patrick Jr. Survivors: daughter, Mary C. Taylor; son, John Curtis Colligan and wife Sharon; grandchildren, Pat, Steve and Anne Taylor and Ashley and Mary Colligan; great grandchildren, Jessica, Brooke and Becca Taylor. Visitation will be Friday, December 14, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Service will be Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 9 a.m at Restland Abbey Chapel.
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